Session Descriptions
Thursday, March 22, 2012

Segment I (Opening Plenary )

TBA

Segment II (Concurrent Sessions)

SESSION A: Micro Aggressions: Do You Feel What I Feel?

Microaggressions are brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioral, or
environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that
communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative slights and insults toward
people of various backgrounds. Perpetrators of microaggressions are often
unaware that they are engaging in such communications when they interact
with others. This workshop will explore the concept of microaggressions, how
to identify them, and what can be done about them.

SESSION B: An
Examination of Inequities in the Delivery of Healthcare Services

Access to, and quality
of, health care is a major issue facing America today and is a subject that
is a focal point in the ongoing debate over President Obama's health care
reform package. That disparities exist in the provision of health care to
Americans is clear but to what extent do they occur and who are the
"victims" of the inequities that are present? This presentation will address
those questions by focusing on the findings of the 2010 National Healthcare
Disparities Report (NHDR). Suggestions that the NHDR makes for dealing with
the inequities that exist will be examined and those present will have the
opportunity to discuss the political and economic obstacles to implementing
reform.

SESSION C: Best
Practices in Conducting Basic Investigations

This workshop will
provide information on how to conduct an effective internal investigation
involving allegations of discrimination and harassment. The session will
include when to investigate; characteristics of a good investigator; and
strategies for approaching investigations. Participants will acquire skills
in developing an investigative plan, effectively interviewing witnesses,
writing the final report, relaying the results and managing the workplace
during and after an investigation. This workshop will be beneficial to
equal opportunity/affirmative action professionals, human resource personnel
and others who have responsibility for investigating complaints of
harassment and discrimination.

SESSION D:
Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Students and Employees

Assuring classrooms
and workplaces that are equitable and representative of Ohio’s diversity
continues to be a challenge for employers and colleges and universities in
all segments of our state, no matter their industry or zip code. This
workshop will present concrete strategies for making employment and
educational diversity efforts more effective.

SESSION E: Coming
to Terms with Racism—A Prerequisite to Personal and Professional Development
(Part 1)

This interactive session will take participants through an excursion during
which they will look within themselves, look around, and look ahead as they
come to terms with racism. A variety of pedagogical tools will be used to
engage and involve participants in thinking and talking about what often
divides us while also recognizing our common humanity and exploring our
capacity to serve as agents of change in our local environments. Please note
that this is a two-part workshop. To receive maximum benefit, attendance at
both sessions is encouraged.

Session F: Transgender 101: Learning the Facts and Advocating Change

This panel will
provide participants with information on a wide range of issues affecting
people who are transgender or gender non-conforming. As transgender people
gain visibility, the legal and social landscape evolves to deal with the
unique and complex issues this community faces. Participants will learn
about emerging legal issues and resources for the transgender community.

Segment III (Concurrent Sessions)

SESSION A; From
Jail to a Job: Challenges Faced by Ex-Offenders in the Workplace

Employment is one of
the most important factors in determining whether an ex-offender will
successfully reintegrate into society prior to their release. However, the
lack of rehabilitation, education and job training, as well as overuse of
collateral sanctions and background checks, create barriers to obtaining
employment. Racial disparities in our criminal justice system have also left
a disproportionate amount of people of color unemployed. This workshop will
explore what measures are being taken to change the current barriers to
employment and decrease recidivism.

SESSION B: New
Prospects for Affirmative Action

Two recent legal
developments have created new momentum for turning the tide on the attacks
on affirmative action programs. The first was a decision a federal Court of
Appeals to strike the ban on affirmative action in Michigan. The second was
California Governor Jerry Brown’s decision to file an amicus brief
supporting BAMN’s constitutional challenge to California’s anti-affirmative
action ban. In this presentation, Shanta Driver, noted civil rights and
employment lawyer, will place these developments in their historical and
political context and provide participants with concrete actions that they
can take to help ensure a successful outcome for both of these landmark
legal cases and reinvigorate the movement for diversity, integration and
equal opportunity.

SESSION C: Best
Practices in Enforcement and Compliance

This important panel
of Ohio and federal compliance and anti-discrimination agencies, will
provide examples of successful and innovative programs that in their view
represent “best practices” in enforcement and compliance. Representatives
from the EEOC, OFCCP, OCRC, and the EOD will be on hand to answer questions
about topics pertaining to their missions.

SESSION D:
Disability Issues in the Workplace

Assuring a workplace
that is equitable and representative of Ohio’s diversity continues to be a
challenge for employers in all segments of our state, no matter their
industry or zip code. This workshop will present concrete strategies for
making employment diversity efforts more effective.

SESSION E: Coming
to Terms with Racism—A Prerequisite to Personal and Professional Development
(Part 2)

This session is a
continuation of part 1. (See description under Segment II above.)

Session F: Values
and Beliefs: How Do We Bridge the Faith Divide?

This interactive
workshop will examine the similarities and differences as they relate to at
least four major religions. Through the use of a panel of presenters
representing those religions, participants will learn about each and through
increased awareness, develop tools to have respectful dialogue about our
different faiths, values and beliefs.

Segment IV (Luncheon & Keynote)

Ms. Wilcher is
nationally acclaimed for her work as a social justice theorist, policymaker
and advocate. In addition to leading Global Wilcher, she is the Executive
Director of the American Association for Affirmative Action, a national
association for individuals working in the fields of affirmative action, EEO,
diversity, and human and civil rights. She has held important leadership
roles in government and in several civil rights organizations. She is the
former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor and Director of the Office of
Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) in the Clinton administration.
She served as civil rights counsel to the Education and Labor Committee of
the U.S. House of Representatives, General Counsel with the National
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Executive Director for
the civil rights consortium Americans for a Fair Chance, and as staff
attorney with the National Women’s Law Center. She received her B.A. degree
from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, her M.A. degree from the New
School for Social Research in New York, NY, and her Juris Doctor degree from
Harvard Law School in Cambridge, MA.

Segment V (Concurrent Sessions)

SESSION A: Building an Environment for Success
Training: Cultural Competence

Building an Environment for Success Training is an interactive learning tool
for strengthening your cultural competence. More than just a "check the box"
diversity training exercise, this course allows individuals, supervisors and
practitioners to learn best practices, test their knowledge and develop
strategies that focus on leadership skills for today's diverse environments.

SESSION B: Equity,
Opportunity and Diversity: The State of the Law

Susan Sharkey, Esq.,
Assistant Ohio Attorney General, is highly regarded for her expertise and
knowledge in civil rights law. In this important session, Ms. Sharkey will
provide a comprehensive review of federal and Ohio laws and regulations
pertaining to equal employment and equal educational opportunity. This
session will explain organizational and managerial legal responsibilities
under discrimination and harassment law.

SESSION C: Cultural
Competence: Unleashing the Power of Synergy

The problem of bullying appears
to be growing especially with new forms of social media. So too, are both
the devastating consequences for targeted individuals and the legal
responsibilities for educational institutions. This workshop, led by
Professor Robert Salem of The University of Toledo College of Law, will
explore both these personal consequences and organizational responsibilities
and offer some recommendations on addressing the growing problem of
bullying.

SESSION D:
Confronting Bullying—From Playground to Cyberspace

The story of bullying in
American schools is not new. However, the story has taken on different
dimensions in recent years, partly because of high profile media reports of
bullying-related suicides. The introduction of electronic and digital
devices, along with the more recent social networking trends, also added
complexity to an already complex problem. As the problem has become more
complicated, schools around the country were faced with a growing demand to
address the problem as resources became increasingly scarce. Not
surprisingly, and despite the best efforts of many schools and school
districts, the efforts to remedy and prevent bullying have in many cases
fallen short. This presentation will address some of the legal and social
issues around bullying, including its impact on minority groups and best
practices for prevention.

SESSION E:
Techniques for Sensitive Conversations About Inclusion and Performance

One of the biggest
concerns of Learners in diversity trainings is how to intervene when
inclusion is NOT happening, and to maintain relations with the person to
whom feedback is provided. This presentation outlines 3 generic approaches
to facilitating such sensitive conversations, which are included in some of
Global Novations’ most well-regarded eLearning courses. This presentation
will also include video demonstrations from the courses, and provide an
analysis of the requirements and restrictions of each approach.

SESSION F: Working
with Bias and Prejudice: A Reflective Journey into Our Assumptions

Multicultural skills
and understanding are necessary for relating to others in our nation’s
increasingly diverse workforce. Values, ideas and cultural norms that are
different from one’s own are never easily accepted, unless people take the
opportunity to examine and understand their basic assumptions and biases
toward others. Whether we admit it or not, we often treat people
differently based on our assumptions and biases. In this workshop,
participants will participate in several interactive exercises that will
challenge them on a personal level to examine basic assumptions and biases
toward others.

Segment VI (Closing Plenary)

If dance is an expression of
the human spirit, then it is best expressed by people of all abilities. That
is the fundamental belief behind the Dancing Wheels Company. Considered one
of the premier arts and disabilities organizations in the U.S., Dancing
Wheels is a professional, physically integrated dance company uniting the
talents of dancers both with and without disabilities. Mary Verdi-Fletcher,
the first professional wheelchair dancer in the U.S., founded the Dancing
Wheels Company in Cleveland in 1980. Born with spina bifida, Mary wanted to
offer others with disabilities full and equal access into the world of
dance. To date, the Dancing Wheels Company’s inspirational mission has
touched over 4.5 million people through performances, school assemblies,
residencies and workshops. Millions more have enjoyed their artistry via
appearances on CNN, Good Morning America, and the TV special “Christopher
Reeve: A Celebration of Hope.” With a message of inclusion and
accessibility, the Company continually expands the reach of artistic
possibilities while celebrating the universal spirit of dance. For more
information visit www.dancingwheels.org.

Dancing Wheels is committed to
the following goals:

* Enhance integration
and diversity in the arts with works uniting people of all
abilities.

* Provide successful,
independent and creative role models for those with
disabilities.

* Erase negative
stereotypes about people with disabilities in professional
careers, primarily in the arts.

* Instill greater
understanding and professionalism in individuals of all ability
levels.